Miramar Fire Inspector Suspended After Arrest

MIRAMAR -- The city`s chief fire inspector, arrested on a grand theft charge over the weekend, was suspended without pay on Monday and could be fired, city officials said.

Francis Neuzil, 41, at 10 p.m. on Saturday went into the Sam`s Club at 1900 University Drive and threatened to close the store unless employees let him conduct an overnight fire inspection, police said.

Neuzil was charged with one count of grand theft on Sunday after police said they found $933 worth of merchandise in his pickup truck.

``The termination of his employment with the city is being considered in light of the alleged violation of city policies,`` City Manager Eric Soroka said in a prepared statement. He would not comment further.

Store managers let Neuzil stay in Sam`s overnight because the store, which opened on Nov. 4, was having work done on its fire alarm and spinkler systems.

The store manager called police at about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, saying at least five employees watched Neuzil throughout the night putting items from the store in his truck, which was parked outside a rear door.

Police searched Neuzil`s 1990 Chevrolet pickup and found three aluminum attache cases, a desk lamp, three black leather cases and several other items.

Neuzil could not be reached for comment despite three messages left at his home in Davie.

Police said Neuzil told them he was at the store all night to assist a crew working on the alarm and sprinkler systems. He told police he had bought the items in his truck over the past three weeks, but said he had no receipts.

When he could not prove he bought the items, Neuzil was arrested and charged with one count of grand theft. He was released from the Broward County Jail on Monday on $1,000 bail.